Device for packaging a product in an envelope

ABSTRACT

There is described a device for winding an envelope (A) around a product (B), in particular defined by a group of cigarettes or the like, to be packaged in a corresponding box-shaped body, or packet, which comprises means ( 10 ) for winding said envelope (A) around said product (B) and means ( 20 ) that are adapted to supply said product (B) and said envelope (A) to said winding means (I 0 ).

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a divisional of co-pending U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 13/264,400 filed Oct. 14, 2011, which was a Section 371 ofInternational Application No. PCT/IT2010/000158, filed Apr. 13, 2010,which was published in the English language on Oct. 21, 2010, underInternational Publication No. WO 2010/119474 A1, and the disclosures ofwhich is incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a device for packaging a product in anenvelope.

Said product is, in particular, defined by a group of articles,specifically defined by cigarettes or the like, to be packaged in acorresponding box-shaped body, or packet, preferably made of paperboard.

Currently, to package cigarettes, they must be wrapped inside anenvelope, or wrapping sheet of various type, usually made of aluminiumfilm, which completely wraps the product for the purpose of preservingthe aroma, and subsequently be inserted in a corresponding box-shapedbody.

For this purpose, prior art has proposed various systems, such as thosedescribed in the documents U.S. Pat. No. 4,603,534 and EP-A-1854726,which comprise a longitudinal channel, into which cigarettes aresupplied until encountering a small sheet, laid transversely to themovement of the cigarettes, which is engaged and drawn by thecigarettes, forming a sort of “U” around these cigarettes.

However, these systems are composed of a large number of components andare particularly bulky and difficult to service.

In particular, these prior art systems require the use of bulkymechanisms to supply the sheet in the advancement channel of thecigarettes and specific means adapted to weaken the sheet, according torespective pre-folded lines, immediately before it is picked up by thecigarettes, in order to prevent damaging them and to produce a wrapper,bent around the product, which has well-defined bend lines, withoutproducing unwanted rounded edges.

These prior art devices are, all in all, burdensome, bulky and difficultto configure in the case of variations to the specifications of thepackaging to be implemented.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The object of the present invention is to overcome one or more of theaforesaid drawbacks of prior art.

Therefore, there is provided a device for winding an envelope around aproduct, wherein said product is, in particular, defined by a group ofarticles, preferably shaped as elongated elements, specifically definedby cigarettes or the like, and said envelope is, in particular, shapedas a small plane sheet, preferably made of an aluminium film or thelike; wherein the device comprises means for winding said envelopearound said product, and is characterised in that it comprises meansthat are adapted to supply said product and said envelope, together, tosaid winding means.

In this way, it is possible to supply the envelope and the product tothe winding means without excessive congestion of the area surroundingthese winding means with separate supplying means, as is instead thecase in prior art devices.

Other advantageous aspects of the present device are set forth in theappended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

The foregoing summary, as well as the following detailed description ofthe invention, will be better understood when read in conjunction withthe appended drawings. For the purpose of illustrating the invention,there are shown in the drawings embodiments which are presentlypreferred. It should be understood, however, that the invention is notlimited to the precise arrangements and instrumentalities shown.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 shows a perspective front view of a preferred embodiment of thedevice according to the present invention;

FIG. 2 shows another perspective front view of the device of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 shows a perspective rear view of the device of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 shows an enlarged view of some components of the device forpackaging cigarettes in sheets bent according to the present invention;

FIG. 5 shows an enlarged view of other components of the present device;

FIG. 6 shows an enlarged view of other components of the present device;

FIGS. 7 a to 7 f show a sequence of some steps of association of theenvelope with the supplying means of the present device;

FIGS. 8 a to 8 f show the sequence of the steps of winding the envelopeon the product by the present device;

FIG. 9 show a perspective top view of the initial part of the means forwinding the envelope on the product;

FIG. 10 shows a perspective and enlarged side view of a detail of thecentral area of the means for winding the envelope on the product;

FIG. 11 shows a perspective top view of the terminal part of the meansfor winding the envelope on the product; and

FIG. 12 shows a perspective bottom view of the terminal part of themeans for winding the envelope on the product.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The accompanying Figures show a device, or system, 1 for winding anenvelope A around a product B, wherein said product B is, in particular,defined by a group of articles, or elongated elements, specificallydefined by cigarettes or the like, having a respective end B′, whereinthere is provided a filter of the cigarette, and an opposite end B″, asshown in FIG. 8 a.

Once the product B has been wound by the envelope A, it is destined tobe subsequently packed in a corresponding box-shaped body, or packet,preferably made of paperboard, not shown in the accompanying figures.

In particular, as can also be deduced with reference to FIG. 8 a, thegroup of cigarettes to be wrapped has a bottom, or front, face B1, and aplurality of side faces defined by opposite wide transverse faces B2 andB3, and opposed short side flank faces B4, B5, and by a head, or rear,face B6.

Said bottom and head faces B1 and B6 are generally orthogonal to theside faces of the product, while said side faces have the widetransverse faces B2, B3 and the side flank faces B4, B5 which aremutually orthogonal.

The envelope A, in turn, is shaped as a small plane sheet, generallyquadrangular in shape, in particular rectangular, preferably made ofaluminium film.

The present device 1 comprises means 10 for winding said envelope Aaround said product B and means 20 for supplying said product B and saidenvelope A to said winding means 10.

In practice, common supply means 20 supply said product B and saidenvelope A, together, to means 10 for winding the envelope, or sheet, Aaround the product B.

Advantageously, as can be deduced from FIGS. 1 to 4, the means 20 forsupply to the winding means 10 define means for associating said productB with said envelope A.

In particular, as can be deduced also with reference to FIGS. 7 a to 7f, the present means 20 for supplying the envelope A and the product Bare adapted to advance said envelope A, arranged around the product B,with a portion A1 of said envelope corresponding to the bottom, orfront, face B1 of the product B.

Moreover, as shown, the present means 20 for supplying the envelope Aand the product B are adapted to advance said envelope A and product B,with the envelope A that extends around, or externally to, saidcorresponding side faces, in particular shaped as wide transverse facesB2, B3 of the product B.

In practice, there are provided means 20 for supplying the envelope Aand the product B, wherein said envelope A is in a condition bent in thegeneral shape of a “V”, with a bottom portion A1, from which thereextend opposite longitudinal portions A2, A3, that are adapted to bearranged around, or externally to, the opposite transverse faces B2, B3of the product B.

As shown in FIGS. 7 a to 7 f, the longitudinal portion A3 of the bentsheet terminates with a respective end portion A31, which extendssubstantially perpendicular to the same longitudinal portion A3.

In particular, the present means 20 for supplying the envelope A and theproduct B are adapted to supply the envelope A with a respective portionA1 that extends perpendicular to the prevalent extension direction L ofthe product B and with the other portions A2, A3 that are substantiallyparallel to this prevalent extension direction of the product B.

Moreover, in the present means 20 for supplying the envelope A and theproduct B, the envelope A is in bent condition and has a bottom portionA1, from which, through corresponding bending lines A12, A13,transverse, or side, portions A2, A3 of the envelope A extend.

In this way, by providing these transverse bending lines A12, A13 in thematerial of the envelope, this prevents damage to the product and allowssimplification of the winding means with respect to those of prior art.

Moreover, according to another aspect, these means 20 for supplying theenvelope A and the product B support said envelope A arranged in frontof the product B, according to the advancement direction thereof towardsthe winding means 10, in a station for passage, or transfer, of theproduct and envelope to the winding means 10, as will be betterdescribed in the remainder in the present description.

Moreover, according to a further aspect, there are provided means 20 forsupplying the envelope A and the product B, wherein said product B ispositioned on said supplying means 20 before positioning said envelope Athereon.

As will be better deduced from the remainder of the present description,the present means 20 for supplying the product are adapted to advance,or supply, said product B so that it extends in parallel, or accordingto the advancement direction of this product B by the winding means 10.

As shown, the present supplying means 20 are adapted to define supplyingmeans of this envelope A, in bent condition, in particular in conditionbent in the general shape of a “V”.

According to another aspect, the present supplying means 20 have astation for picking up the product B, a station for picking up theenvelope A, downstream of said station for picking up the product B, anda station, downstream, for unloading the envelope and/or the product B.

Said stations are indicated with the references PI, P2, P3 in theaccompanying figures from 1 to 4.

In practice, the means 20 for supplying the envelope A supply saidenvelope A according to a circumferential path.

The present supplying means comprise seats 201 for supporting theproduct B and/or the envelope A and means 202 for supporting andadvancing said seats 201.

Advantageously, the supplying means 20 have engaging and holding meansfor the respective envelope A.

In particular, said holding means are shaped as means for sucking theenvelope A on corresponding surfaces of the supplying means.

In particular, said holding means operate on the side portions A2, A3 ofthe same envelope A, and/or on the perpendicular wing A31 of theenvelope.

For this purpose, said holding means are provided on the respective seat201, and could also be provided, according to other embodiments, notshown, on the supporting and advancing means 202 of the seat 201.

For this purpose, said holding means are shaped as corresponding holesprovided on the surface of the respective seat 201, which comes intocontact with a corresponding part A2, A3 or A31 of the envelope.

As is apparent from the accompanying figures, said seats 201 forsupporting the product B define holding means for a respective envelopeA, as said envelope A extends outside and around a respective seat 201for supporting the product B.

Said seat 201 for supporting the product is, as shown, shaped as atubular body defining an internal surface 201′ for engaging the productB and an external surface 201″ for engaging the envelope A.

As is shown in particular in FIG. 4, the supporting seat 201 is shapedas a tubular body, with quadrangular section, having a radiallyinternal, or bottom, wall 201 a, a radially external wall 201 b, andcircumferentially opposed side, or radial, walls 201 c, 201 d.

The respective supporting seat 201 holds the corresponding product Bwith the internal face of the respective walls, while it holds theenvelope A with the external face of the internal, or bottom, wall 201 aand external 201 b wall.

The respective supporting seat 201 also has a perpendicular surface 201e, located at the connection to the advancing means 202, on theextension of the bottom wall 201 a, that engages and holds the end wingA31 of the envelope A.

As shown, said seat 201 for supporting the product is shaped as atubular body, open at both longitudinal ends, respectively for saidproduct B to enter said seat 201 and exit from said seat 201B.

As shown, said seat 201 extends according to the advancement directionof the product B and envelope A in the winding means 10.

Moreover, the seat 201 extends perpendicular 15 to the advancementdirection of the seats 201.

As shown, said supplying means 20 therefore comprise a rotary body 202supporting a plurality of seats 201 arranged peripherally around saidrotary body, said rotary body 202 being shaped as a flat plate, fromwhich the respective seat 201 projects, extending perpendicularly fromsaid circular plate.

In practice, the seat 201 for supporting the product B projectsperpendicularly in a cantilever fashion from the means 202 forsupporting and advancing the same seats 201, on the side of these thatis facing the winding means 10.

In practice, as shown, the supply means 20 are shaped as a wheelrotating about a respective rotation axis R, according to an angulardirection G, moving with intermittent movement, having advancement stepsalternated with stop steps.

Said seats 201 extend with the respective axis L parallel to saidrotation axis R of the seat carrying wheel.

The rotation axis R of the supplying means 20 extends, preferably,horizontally.

The present device also comprises means 12 for providing the product Bto the supply means 20.

Said means 12 for providing the product comprise means for pushing theproduct towards the supply means 20, which are shaped as a correspondingpushing device, not shown particularly in the accompanying figures, thatengages said product B at the rear and pushes it towards and inside therespective supporting seat 201.

The means 12 for providing the product B advance said product withrespective extension axis directed according to the extension directionL of the respective seat 201.

Moreover, said means 12 for providing the product advance said elongatedelements B perpendicular to the advancement plane defined by said means20 for supplying said product B and/or said envelope A.

Moreover, said means 12 for providing the product B advance said productB with the respective extension axis directed according to the extensiondirection, and/or advancement direction, of said winding means 10.

Moreover, said means 12 for providing the product B advance said productB with the respective extension axis directed in parallel with therotation axis R of said supply means 20.

In particular, a plurality of products B are supplied to respectiveseats, in particular three products, or groups of cigarettes, B, aresupplied to three seats of the supply means 20 simultaneously.

The cigarettes are supplied to define corresponding groups of cigarettesstarting from respective loading hoppers 121, with the pushing devicesof said cigarettes, which extend between a retracted position to pick upthe respective group of cigarettes and an advanced position forinserting the respective group of cigarettes into the respective seat.

Said means for providing the product B are provided upstream of saidsupply means 12, on the opposite side to that of extension of saidwinding means 10 and of the means for providing the sheet, betterdescribed in the remainder of the present description.

As shown, the pick-up position of the product P is angularly spacedsubstantially by 180° with respect to the position for transfer, orunloading, to the winding means 10.

Moreover, as shown, the pick-up position is a lifted position while thetransfer position of the product is a lowered position.

Moreover, there are provided means 11 for supplying the envelope A,which are adapted to arrange said envelopes on said supplying means 20.

Said means 11 for supplying the envelope A are shaped as means adaptedto bend the envelope A around, or out side, the product B, or therespective supporting seat 201.

In practice, said means 11 for supplying the envelope are adapted tomove said envelope A towards said supplying means 20 and towards saidproduct B.

Said means 11 for supplying the envelope A are adapted to move saidenvelope A perpendicular to the advancement plane of said advancingmeans and, in particular, in parallel to the rotation axis R of thesesupplying means 20.

In particular, said means 11 for supplying the envelope A comprise ashaped seat 111 for engaging the same envelope A in flattened conditionand means 112, which are adapted to move said seat 111 towards and awayfrom said supplying means 20, between a retracted position to pick-upthe envelope A, in plane condition and an advanced position for passageof the envelope A to the supplying means 20.

Said shaped seat 111 has a “V” configuration, in which the side wings111 a, 11 lb are arranged, in condition of passage of the envelope A,around the corresponding faces, or surfaces, of the seat 201 forsupporting the product B. As shown, the side, or transverse, wings 111a, 111 b of the seat 111 terminate with perpendicular portions 111′a,111′b of contact and pressure against the corresponding external surfaceof the walls 201 a, 201 b of the supplying means 20, in the advancedengaging position.

The shaped seat 111 is also defined by a base 111′ for connection to thestem of the respective operating means 112.

The means for providing the envelope A also comprise a respective reel113 for supporting a strip A′ of material defining said envelope, meansfor unwinding and cutting a sheet A from said strip A′, not shownparticularly in the accompanying figures, and a pair of small belts 115a, 115 b for holding and advancing the envelope, which extend mutuallyparallel and move on intermittently moving rollers 115′, 115′, extendingtotally, with a portion for supporting the sheet or envelope that is inparallel to the supplying means, in particular to the plate 202 forsupporting the seats 201.

The advancing and supporting belts 115 a, 115 b are mutually spacedapart and which extend totally radial with respect to the rotationcentre R of the supplying means and ensure that the respective sheet ismoved from a retracted cutting position to an advanced position forpick-up by said moving seat 111 for inserting the sheet on top of therespective projecting seat 201 of the supplying means.

The means 111 for inserting the envelope move, forwards and backwards,extending between the same holding and advancing belts 115 a, 115 b.

Moreover, the means for providing the envelope A comprise a pushingdevice 117 passing through the hollow bottom of the seat 111 and movingbetween a retracted position and an advanced position for engaging thesheet on the seat 201 of the supplying means 20.

As shown in FIGS. 7 a to 7 f, with the cut sheet A supported, in stoppedcondition, by the holding belts 115 a, 115 b, the pushing device 117advances toward the supplying means, or the seat 201, that carries theproduct B, and intercepts the envelope A, disengages it from the belts115 a, 115 b, pushing it against the bottom 201′. Of the seat 201, asshown in FIG. 7 b, thus defining means for engaging the envelope on thebottom, or opposed, end 201′ of the seat 201.

At this point, as shown in FIG. 7 c, the respective shaped seat 111advances, with said wings 111′a, 111′b that engage the envelope A,laterally to the pushing device 117, and push the same envelope A ontothe external faces of the circumferential walls 201 a, 201 b of theseat, defining said bends, with well-defined profile, A12, A13, and thencontinue to advance to the position completely superimposed on the seat210, as shown in FIG. 7 d, where the principal part 111 a, 111 b of theelastic wings of the seat 111 superimposes the external surface of thewalls 201 a, 201 b of the respective seat 201.

Said wings 111 a and 111 b are, advantageously, elastically yieldableoutwards, or can be moved away from or towards each other elastically,and define means for compressing the envelope on the respective seat201.

As shown in the subsequent FIGS. 7 e and 7 f, once the envelope A hasbeen completely bent and transferred to the supplying means 20, the seat111 returns to the retracted position upstream of the belts 115 a, 115 band, therefore, also the pushing device 117 returns to the retractedposition inside the seat 111.

In practice, the present means 11 for providing the envelope A definemeans for bending the envelope, to define a bottom portion A1, that isconnected to corresponding side portions A2 and A3 through respectivebends, or bending lines, A12, A13.

Moreover, the means 11 for providing the envelope A comprise elasticallyyielding means, or wings 111 a, 111 b, to push the envelope against thesupplying means 20, or the seats 201 for containing the product B.

In practice, said seat, or shaped blade, 111, for picking up andinserting the respective sheet held at opposite edges of said radialbelts 115 a, 115 b is inserted between these belts and is supported by acorresponding stem moved through a corresponding electric motor.

Therefore, the present supplying means 20 move, with intermittentmovement, in which advancement steps are alternated with stop steps,during which the product B is inserted into the respective seats, theenvelope, or sheet, A is inserted on the respective seat 201 and, aswill be more apparent in the remainder of the present description, acorresponding product and relative envelope A are picked up from thesupplying means.

In turn, the means 10 for winding the envelope onto the product comprisemeans 101, 102 for supporting and advancing the product B and theenvelope A and means for bending said envelope A around said product B.

In particular, said supporting and advancing means comprise means 101for supporting the product B and the envelope A and means 102 forengaging and moving said product B and the corresponding envelope A.

In particular, said means 102 for engaging and moving said product B andenvelope A are shaped as means for rear engaging and pushing the productB onto said bearing means 101.

As shown, said means for supporting the product B and the envelope Acomprise a narrow bearing and sliding plane 101 a for the product, whichextends linearly.

In particular, said bearing plane 101 a of the product 101 extendsperpendicular to the advancement plane of the supplying means 20 and inparallel to the rotation axis R of the same supplying means 20.

Said means 102 for rear engaging and pushing of the product B onto thebearing means comprise a respective engaging wall 102 a, that extendstransversely, and a respective stem 102 b for supporting said blade 102a, extending substantially vertical or perpendicular from said bearingplane 101 a, passing between a corresponding longitudinal central slot101′ thereof.

In particular, said means 102 for rear engaging and pushing the productB comprise a plurality of engaging blades 102 a, equidistant, inparticular longitudinally equidistant, from one another.

Said bearing plane 101 a extends substantially horizontal, between anend upstream for receiving the product B and the envelope A and an enddownstream for releasing the product B, in condition wrapped by saidenvelope A.

In practice, said bearing means 101 extend starting from an end upstreamfor receiving the product B and the envelope A, which is locatedsubstantially at the same level in height as the corresponding supplyingmeans 20 in position for releasing the product B and envelope A.

Therefore, the present winding means are located at a lower level inheight than that of the means for providing the cigarettes or productand the means for providing the respective envelope or sheet.

The means for rear engaging and pushing of the product define means forpicking up the product and envelope A from the seat 201.

For this purpose, the respective blade 102 a has a configuration so thatit is inserted into the tubular body 201 a of the seat 201 forsupporting the product B, with the corresponding stem 102 b, whichpasses through the corresponding longitudinal slot 211 provided in theexternal wall of said seat 201.

The blade 102 a enters from the end upstream of said seats 201 forsupporting the product B and for holding the envelope A, engages therear part of the product B, in particular defined by the filter of thecigarettes, and with the stem 102 b for supporting the respectiveengaging blade 102 a of the product B, which passes through therespective longitudinal slot 211 of the seat 201, exits from the enddownstream of the seat 201, with the tip, or front end, B1 of theproduct B, which engages the bottom portion A1 of the envelope A,drawing it and picking it up from the seat 201.

Therefore, said blade 102 a defines means for transferring said productB and said envelope A from the supplying means 20 to the winding means10.

As shown, the end upstream of said bearing means 101 a extends slightlyupstream of said supplying means 20.

It is also possible to provide, as shown, a blade 102 c for frontengaging of said product B and envelope A.

Said front engaging wall is supported on the same supporting stem of therear engaging blade and is defined in a single body with the frontblade.

In particular, the engaging and pushing means are, therefore, defined bya corresponding small front transverse plate for rear engaging of theproduct and envelope and by a small transverse plate for front engagingof the product and envelope, mutually connected through a correspondingsmall longitudinal bar 102 d, supported directly by said perpendicularstem 102 b.

In practice, the blade means 102 are supported on a corresponding chain,or belt, appropriately mutually spaced apart, said chain, or belt,moving according to an endless path, between corresponding end wheels orpulleys, not shown particularly in the accompanying figures.

Said means 102 for engaging and moving the product B and envelope A havean alternate movement having advancement steps for product and envelopealternated with backward-moving and stop steps.

The backward-moving step has a backward travel of the pushing devices102 a, which causes them to exit from the envelope A, to allow thecorresponding bends to be produced, as will be more apparent below, witha travel that is less than the distance between one product and thepreceding or subsequent product.

In the backward-moving and stop steps, said front engaging means 102 ccan come into contact with the respective product and envelope. Inpractice, in the backward-moving step of the means for engaging andmoving said product, the respective engaging means can be brought intocontact with the front face of the product inside the envelope.

The winding means 10 have means that are adapted to bend correspondingedges of the envelope A around the product B.

In particular, said means adapted to bend comprise means 103, which areadapted to bend the side, or transverse, faces A2, A3 of the envelope onthe wide side, or transverse, faces B2, B3 of the product B, as shown inFIG. 8 a.

Said bending means 103 comprise upper longitudinal guide means, inparticular composed of two parallel guides 103 a, 103 a, shown inparticular in FIGS. 9 and 10, and the lower bearing plane 101 a.

Due to the push provided to the product B, by the engaging and pushingmeans 102, bending is obtained of said transverse, or side, faces A3 andA2 of the envelope, which is drawn due to engaging of the front ends B1of the product with the bottom face A1 of the same envelope, on saidupper and lower transverse faces B3, B2 of the product.

Said upper longitudinal guides 103 a, 103 a, extend substantially forthe entire length of the lower bearing plane 101 a, definingperpendicular holding means of the product and envelope.

The bending means also comprise means 104 that are adapted to bend theside portions A1′, A1″, of the bottom edge A1 of said envelope, thatproject laterally, beyond the side faces B4, B5 of the product,longitudinally on the same side faces B4 and B5, as shown in FIG. 8 b.

As can be deduced from FIG. 9, said bending means 104 comprise acorresponding engaging projection, or surface, 104 a, which extendstransverse to the longitudinal advancement direction of said product andenvelope and which, through interference with the advancing envelope,engages and longitudinally bends the corresponding side portion A1′ andA1″ of the bottom on the respective side face B4, B5 of the product.

Said means 104, which are adapted to bend the side portions of thebottom of said envelope onto the corresponding side faces of theproduct, are provided immediately downstream of the exit from thesupplying means 20, at or in proximity of the respective seat 201, inposition for release of the product.

Said means 104 are shaped as a respective block projectingperpendicularly from the bearing and sliding plane 101 a. As shown, afirst and a second block 104 b, 104 b are provided, arranged laterallywith respect to a central sliding area of the product and envelope onsaid plane 101 a and having projections 104 a, 104 a, which extendtowards said central sliding area and which are adapted to engage thefront face of a corresponding side portion A1′, A1″ of the bottom A1 ofthe envelope, which is projecting laterally to the product B.

Moreover, said means adapted for bending comprise means 105 that areadapted to bend corresponding edges A3′, A3″, A2′, A2″ of the transverseportions A3, A2 of the envelope, which project laterally beyond the sideedges, or side flanks, B4, B5 of the product B on the respective sideface of the product B4, B5, in condition of mutual superimposition,defining, as shown in FIG. 8 c, total side flanks A4 A5 of the envelope.

Said means 105 that are adapted to bend corresponding laterallyprojecting edges A3′, A3″, A2′, A2″ of the transverse portions of theenvelope, on the side flank face B4, B5 of the product, are shaped ascorresponding guide rods 105 a, 105 b, extending laterally to theproduct and which extend longitudinally to the path of the product,starting from a position perpendicularly spaced from the product to aposition on the side flank of the same product.

As shown, for each side flank of the product, there are provided a pairof first guide elements 105 a, 105 b for respective upper and lowertransverse walls or edges of the envelope, which extend longitudinallyfor a certain length, and converge in a subsequent longitudinal length105 c, positioned in height substantially at the midline of thecorresponding side flank of the product, and that is also suitable tomaintain the bent condition of the side wings of the envelope bent onthe respective side flank of the product.

In practice, for each side flank of the product, an upper guide rod 105a is provided, extending upstream perpendicularly spaced from theproduct, above this product, to intercept the corresponding wing A3′ orA3″, and which extends longitudinally to a lowered position at the sideof the product, bending the same laterally projecting wing A3′ or A3″ onthe respective side of the product.

Moreover, for each side flank of the product, a lower guide rod 105 b isprovided, extending upstream perpendicularly spaced from the product,below this product, to intercept the corresponding wing A2′ or A2″, andwhich extends longitudinally to a lifted position at the side of theproduct, bending the same laterally projecting wing A2′ or A2″ on therespective side of the product.

Moreover, said means adapted to bend corresponding edges of the envelopeof the product B comprise, on the winding means, means 106 that areadapted to bend corresponding end edges A4′, A5′ of the side edges A4,AS of the envelope bent on the side flank of the product and whichproject at the rear beyond the head face B6 of the product, on the samehead face B6 of the product B, as shown in FIG. 8 d.

Said means 106 are shaped as corresponding moving blades 106 a, 106 a,moving transversely between a backward position for free passage of theproduct, in positions mutually moved away and moved away from thecentral area of the bearing plane 101 a, and an advanced engagingposition of the corresponding side edge of the envelope and of bendingthereof on the corresponding head face of the product, wherein thetransversely opposite blades 106 a, 106 a are positioned close to oneanother and at the centre of the bearing plane 101 a.

This transverse movement of the blades 106 a, 106 a is shown by thearrows F, F of FIG. 6.

As shown, said transverse blades 106 a, 106 a are supported, movingtransversely, by said bearing and sliding means 101, remaining at alevel in height above that of the bearing plane 101 a.

Said transverse blades 106 a, 106 for bending of the correspondingprojecting edge A4′, A5′ of the side flank of the envelope on the headface B6 of the product, operate when said means 102 for engaging andpushing the product are in longitudinally backward position, i.e. withthe product and envelope in stopped condition on the bearing means 101.

Moreover, said means adapted to bend corresponding edges of the envelopearound the product B comprise means 107, 108 that are adapted to bendcorresponding edges A6′ and A6″ of the transverse portions, or walls,A2, A3 of the envelope which are projecting longitudinally beyond saidhead face B6 of the product, on the same head face B6 of the product,superimposed on said portions A4′, A5′ bent by the projecting sideflanks of the envelope through said means 106 a, 106 a, as shown inFIGS. 8 e and 8 f.

In particular, said means that are adapted to bend a first edge A6′ ofthe lower transverse wall A2 of the envelope A, which projectslongitudinally beyond said head face B6 of the product, comprise atleast one wing 107, which moves perpendicularly between a loweredposition, in which it is under the bearing plane 101 a, and a liftedposition of bending the corresponding edge A6′, wherein it projectsperpendicularly from said bearing plane 101 a.

As shown in FIG. 8, in particular, a first and a second transverse wing107 a, 107 b are provided side by side and slightly spaced apart, movingvertically, or perpendicularly, to the plane 101 a, as shown by thearrow A of FIG. 11.

These perpendicularly moving wings 107 a, 107 b also operate when saidengaging and pushing means 102 are in backward position, and the productand envelope are stopped on the bearing plane 101.

In practice, the wings 107 are adapted to bend a correspondingprojecting edge A6′ of the lower transverse wall A2 of the envelope,which is over and in contact with the bearing plane 101 a.

These bending means 107 are in a station, which is immediatelydownstream of the station in which the transversely moving means 106 areprovided.

Moreover, means 108 are provided that are adapted to bend a second edgeA6″ of the upper transverse wall of the envelope A3, which projectslongitudinally beyond said head face B6 of the product, on the same headface B6 of the product and on the bent edge A6′ of the lower transverseface of the envelope, as shown in FIG. 8 f, which comprise a respectivecounter surface produced on a crosspiece 108 a of a hollow quadrangularbody 108 b, arranged downstream of the winding plane and over means 109for lifting the product and envelope.

In practice, as shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, said quadrangular block 108 bis provided substantially on the extension of the guides 103 a at thesame level as these and has a vertical through cavity, through which thelifting plane 109 causes the product to pass in wound condition of theenvelope A, causing the projecting edge A6″ of the envelope to interferewith the crosspiece 108 a and obtaining relative bending on the headface B6 of the product.

Moreover, means 109 are provided for transferring, or unloading, theproduct from the winding plane 101 a, which are shaped as a respectiveplane 109 a for receiving the product, which is at the same level of thewinding plane 101 a and is positioned at the downstream longitudinal endof the same winding plane 101 a.

Said receiving plane 109 a is moving, starting from said loweredposition for receiving the bent product, towards a lifted position, witha movement that takes a corresponding wing A6″, not yet bent, of theenvelope to interfere with said surface, or crosspiece, 108 a to producethe last bend of the envelope.

Operation of the present device is, in brief, the following. The groupof cigarettes B, which are formed at the base of the respective loadinghoppers, through corresponding pushing devices are inserted into arespective tubular seat 201, carried by respective advancing means 202,which are in stopped condition.

By alternating subsequent advancement and stop steps said product,housed inside the respective tubular seat 202, reaches the respectivemeans 11 for applying the envelope A, which apply said envelope Aoutside the respective seat 202, performing, by opposing of thecorresponding transverse, or circumferential, walls of the seat, with acorresponding shaped seat for pick-up and transfer of the envelope, adeformation of the envelope adapted to define corresponding clean andwell-defined bending lines A12, A13 provided between the bottom face orportion and the transverse portions of the same envelope. Saidapplication of the envelope around the tubular seat takes place with theadvancing means in stopped condition.

In a subsequent step, the product, held inside the seat, and theenvelope, held, through corresponding suction means outside the sameproduct, reach a lower release, or unloading, position where in stoppedcondition, a corresponding engaging and pushing element is inserted,which engages the product, in particular at the relative filter of thecigarettes, pushing it forward to interfere with and pick up the bentsheet, transporting it forwards on said winding means, where, in a firststep the projecting side edges of the bottom of the envelope are bentonto the respective side flank face of the product.

In a subsequent step, corresponding shaped guides bend the portions ofthe transverse walls of the envelope that project laterally beyond theside flanks of the product, on the respective side flank faces of thesame product.

Moreover, in a station downstream, means, or blades, movingtransversely, bend the side portions, or edges, of the envelope, whichare projecting at the rear on the head face of the same product.

After this, in a station downstream, corresponding means, movingperpendicularly, bend a corresponding portion of the transverse lowerwall of the envelope, which projects beyond the head face of theproduct, onto the same head face of the envelope.

Moreover, in a station downstream, through corresponding means forlifting and transporting the product, interfering with a respectivecrosspiece 108 a, the remaining projecting edge of the upper transversewall, or portion, of the envelope is bent onto the respective head faceof the product.

The present winding means advance the product and relative envelopeswith a trend that provides an advancement step and a stop step, with therespective pushing devices of the products, which have an advancementmovement in which they engage and push the respective products forward,a backward-moving step, in which they release the head face of therespective product, to produce corresponding bends, and a stop step, inwhich bending of the corresponding projecting portions onto the samehead face of the product can take place.

With the present device it is possible to produce a system for supplyingand bending the envelope onto a respective product, in particularcigarettes, which is greatly simplified with respect to prior artdevices.

In particular, with the present device it is possible to perform more orless complete bending of the envelope around the product on a respectivelongitudinal conveyor, i.e. without the use of corresponding wheels toterminate bending of the envelope and, in any case, in a simplifiedmanner with respect to prior art.

In particular, with the present device an envelope can be positioned ona product with the envelope having respective well-defined bendinglines, which greatly facilitate optimal production of the package andthus without the risk of damaging said product, or requiring additionaldevices for weakening the envelope on the advancing means, as occursaccording to prior art devices.

In practice, the present device for packaging cigarettes in bent sheetsallows the number of specific components and their arrangement to bereduced, thus achieving considerable savings in production times andcosts.

Moreover, the present device is flexible and immediately adaptable tothe different final using configurations, without having to readjust acomplete packaging line, but simply by replacing a few modular parts onthe system.

Moreover, the present device is equipped with a single packaging wheel,and is consequently less complex and costly than systems proposed byprior art.

With reference to the figures, it can be seen that the present device 1for packaging cigarettes in bent sheets can also comprise,advantageously:

at least a first electric motor (not shown) adapted to move the means 12for providing cigarettes B;

at least a second electric motor 35 adapted to move the driving means ofthe belt for the packaging sheets A;

at least a third electric motor 36 adapted to move the supplying means20;

at least a fourth electric motor 35 adapted to move the supplying means11;

at least a fifth electric motor (not shown) adapted to move the meansfor holding the packaging sheets A on the seats 201, after the samesheets A have been placed on said seats 201;

at least a sixth electric motor 39 adapted to move the means for movingthe packages, on the winding means;

at least a seventh electric motor 41 adapted to move the means 106 forbending the envelope;

at least an eighth electric motor, not shown in the accompanyingfigures, adapted to move further means 107 for bending the envelope;

at least a ninth electric motor 45 adapted to lift the packages for thelast bend; and

electronic control means adapted to control said first, second, third,fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh, eighth and ninth electric motor forelectronic movement of the relative motor axes.

Finally, it is obvious that variants of the aforesaid arrangement couldbe adopted, in which some of the electric motors indicated above can beincorporated in a single motor which performs the operations of thesingle motors listed, while on the one hand these variants wouldsimplify final production of the system, reducing the number of motorscontained therein, on the other hand they would correspondingly reducethe complete flexibility which is the peculiar feature of the system ofthe invention.

The invention thus conceived is suitable for obvious industrialapplication; it is also susceptible to numerous modifications andvariants, all falling within the inventive concept; moreover, all thedetails can be replaced by technically equivalent elements.

It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that changes could bemade to the embodiments described above without departing from the broadinventive concept thereof. It is understood, therefore, that thisinvention is not limited to the particular embodiments disclosed, but itis intended to cover modifications within the spirit and scope of thepresent invention as defined by the appended claims.

I/We claim:
 1. Winding device for winding an envelope (A) around aproduct (B) defined by a group of articles shaped as elongated elements,the winding device comprising winding means (10) for winding saidenvelope (A) around said product (B); wherein said winding devicecomprises: supplying means (20) adapted to supply said product (B) andsaid envelope (A), together, to said winding means (10), said supplyingmeans (20) having seats (201) for supporting the product (B) and/or theenvelope (A) and means (202) for supporting and advancing said seats(201), supplying means (11) for supplying the envelope (A), which areadapted to arrange said envelope (A) on the corresponding supplyingmeans (20) by bending the envelope (A) around the product (B), or therespective supporting seat (201), said supplying means (11) comprising ashaped seat (111) for engaging the envelope (A), in a plane condition,operating means (112) adapted to move said shaped seat (111) between aposition for taking the envelope (A) and a position for passing theenvelope (A) to the supplying means (20) and a pushing device (117)passing through a hollow bottom of the shaped seat (111) and configuredfor moving between a retracted position and an advanced position forengaging the envelope (A) onto the seat (201) of the supplying means(20).
 2. Device according to claim 1, wherein said supplying means (11)are adapted to provide bending lines (A12, A13) defining a bottomportion (Al) and corresponding side portions (A2, A3) of the envelope(A).
 3. Device according to claim 1, wherein said supplying means (11)are adapted to move said envelope (A) perpendicularly to an advancementplane defined by the supplying means (20).
 4. Device according to claim1, wherein said supplying means (11) are adapted to move said envelope(A) in parallel with a rotation axis (R) of the supplying means (20). 5.Device according to claim 1, wherein said supplying means (11) haveelastically yieldable means for pushing the envelope (A) against thesupplying means (20).
 6. Device according to claim 1, wherein saidshaped seat (111) has a “V” configuration.
 7. Device according to claim6, wherein said shaped seat (111) with “V” configuration has side wings(111 a, 111 b) arranged, in condition of passage of the envelope (A),around the corresponding faces, or surfaces, of the seats (201). 8.Device according to claim 7, wherein said side wings (111 a, 111 b) areelastically yieldable outwards so that can be moved away from or towardseach other elastically, to define means for compressing the envelope (A)on the respective seat (201).
 9. Device according to claim 7, whereinsaid side wings (111 a, 111 b) terminate with perpendicular portions(111′a, 111′b) of contact and pressure against corresponding externalsurface of walls (201 a, 201 b) of the supplying means (20), in theadvanced position.
 10. Device according to claim 1, wherein said shapedseat (111) is also defined by a base (111′) for connection to a stem ofthe respective operating means (112) moved through a correspondingelectric motor.
 11. Device according to claim 1, wherein said supplyingmeans (11) also comprise a respective reel (113) for supporting a strip(A′) of material defining said envelope (A).
 12. Device according toclaim 11, wherein said supplying means (11) also comprise means forunwinding and cutting a sheet defining said envelope (A) from said strip(A′).
 13. Device according to claim 11, wherein said supplying means(11) also comprise a pair of advancing and supporting belts (115 a, 115b) for holding and advancing the envelope (A), which extend mutuallyparallel and move on intermittently moving rollers (115′, 115′),extending totally, with a portion for supporting the envelope (A) thatis in parallel to a plate (202) for supporting the seats (201) of thesupplying means (20).
 14. Device according to claim 13, wherein saidadvancing and supporting belts (115 a, 115 b) are mutually spaced apartand extend totally radial with respect to a rotation centre (R) of thesupplying means (20) and ensure that the respective sheet defining theenvelope (A) is moved from a retracted cutting position to an advancedposition for pick-up by said shaped seat (111) for inserting the sheetdefining the envelope (A) on top of the respective seats (201) of thesupplying means (20).
 15. Device according to claim 13, wherein saidshaped seat (111) is configured to move, forwards and backwards,extending between said advancing and supporting belts (115 a, 115 b).16. Device according to claim 13, wherein the pushing device (117) isconfigured to advance toward one of the seats (201) of the supplyingmeans (20) that carries the product (B), and to intercept the envelope(A) supported, in stopped condition, by the advancing and supportingbelts (115 a, 115 b), disengaging it from the advancing and supportingbelts (115 a, 115 b), pushing it against a bottom (201′) of the seat(201), defining means for engaging the envelope (A) on the bottom (201′)of the seat (201).
 17. Device according to claim 7, wherein the shapedseat (111) is configured to advance with said wings (111′a, 111′b) thatengage the envelope A, laterally to the pushing device (117), and topush the envelope (A) onto external faces of circumferential walls (201a, 201 b) of the seat (201), defining bends (A12, A13) of the envelope(A) through which transverse, or side, portions (A2, A3) of the envelope(A) extend from a bottom portion (A1) of the envelope (A), and tocontinue to advance to a position completely superimposed on the seat(201) where said side wings (111 a, 111 b) superimpose the externalsurface of the walls (201 a, 201 b) of the respective seat (201). 18.Device according to claim 17, wherein the shaped seat (111), once theenvelope (A) has been completely bent and transferred to the supplyingmeans (20) is configured to return to a retracted position upstream ofthe advancing and supporting belts (115 a, 115 b) and the pushing device(117) is configured to return to the retracted position inside theshaped seat (111).
 19. Device according to claim 1, wherein the supplymeans (20) are shaped as a wheel rotating about a respective rotationaxis (R), according to an angular direction (G), configured to move withintermittent movement, having advancement steps alternated with stopsteps.
 20. A method for winding an envelope (A) around a product (B)defined by a group of articles shaped as elongated elements, the methodcomprising winding said envelope (A) around said product (B) by windingmeans (10); wherein the method comprises: supplying said product (B) andsaid envelope (A), together, to said winding means (10) by supplyingmeans (20) having seats (201) which support the product (B) and/or theenvelope (A) and means (202) which support and advance said seats (201),supplying the envelope (A) by arranging said envelope (A) on thecorresponding supplying means (20) by bending the envelope (A) aroundthe product (B), or the respective supporting seat (201), whereinsupplying the envelope (A) comprises engaging the envelope (A) by ashaped seat (111), in a plane condition, moving said shaped seat (111)between a position for taking the envelope (A) and a position forpassing the envelope (A) to the supplying means (20) by operating means(112) and engaging the envelope (A) onto the seat (201) of the supplyingmeans (20) by a pushing device (117) passing through a hollow bottom ofthe shaped seat (111) and moving between a retracted position and anadvanced position for engaging the envelope (A) onto the seat (201) ofthe supplying means (20).
 21. Method according to claim 20, whereinsupplying the envelope (A) comprises moving said envelope (A)perpendicularly to an advancement plane defined by the supplying means(20) and in parallel with a rotation axis (R) of the supplying means(20).
 22. Method according to claim 20, wherein supplying the envelope(A) comprises pushing the envelope (A) against the supplying means (20)by elastically yieldable means.
 23. Method according to claim 20,wherein supplying the envelope (A) also comprises holding and advancingthe envelope (A) by a pair of advancing and supporting belts (115 a, 115b) which extend mutually parallel and move on intermittently movingrollers (115′, 115′), extending totally, with a portion for supportingthe envelope (A) that is in parallel to a plate (202) for supporting theseats (201) of the supplying means (20).
 24. Method according to claim23, wherein the pushing device (117) advances toward one of the seats(201) of the supplying means (20) that carries the product (B), andintercepts the envelope (A) supported, in stopped condition, by theadvancing and supporting belts (115 a, 115 b), disengages it from theadvancing and supporting belts (115 a, 115 b), pushes it against abottom (201′) of the seat (201), defining means for engaging theenvelope (A) on the bottom (201′) of the seat (201).
 25. Methodaccording to claim 24, wherein the shaped seat (111) advances with wings(111′a, 111′b) that engage the envelope A, laterally to the pushingdevice (117), and pushes the envelope (A) onto external faces ofcircumferential walls (201 a, 201 b) of the seat (201), defining bends(A12, A13) of the envelope (A) through which transverse, or side,portions (A2, A3) of the envelope (A) extend from a bottom portion (Al)of the envelope (A), and continues to advance to a position completelysuperimposed on the seat (201) where said side wings (111 a, 111 b)superimpose the external surface of the walls (201 a, 201 b) of therespective seat (201).
 26. Method according to claim 25, wherein oncethe envelope (A) has been completely bent and transferred to thesupplying means (20) the shaped seat (111) returns to a retractedposition upstream of the advancing and supporting belts (115 a, 115 b)and the pushing device (117) returns to the retracted position insidethe shaped seat (111).
 27. Method according to claim 20, wherein saidsupplying means (20) supplying said product (B) and said envelope (A),together, to said winding means (10) are shaped as a wheel, whereinsupplying said product (B) and said envelope (A), together, to saidwinding means (10) comprises rotating said wheel about a respectiverotation axis (R), according to an angular direction (G), moving withintermittent movement, having advancement steps alternated with stopsteps.